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Pakistani Army has convinced us of its brutality. Hope India’ response is far reaching and decisive

The brutal killing and beheading of two soldiers in uniform by the Pakistani army is something that they have done many times before with impunity and have got away with it. The case of Captain Kalia and his army colleagues should have been taken up by the Indian government in international forums but was not. This has emboldened Pakistan to continue with its vicious behavior.

Captain Saurabh Kalia (1976-1999) was an officer of the Indian Army who was taken a prisoner by the Pakistani Army during the Kargil War along with five other soldiers. Kalia’s men were in captivity from 15 May 1999 – 7 June 1999 (over twenty-two days), and subjected to torture as evident from injuries on their bodies when they were handed over to India by the Pakistani Army on 9 June 1999. Post-mortem examinations revealed that the Pakistanis had tortured their prisoners in various inhumane ways like burning their bodies. The post-mortem also confirmed the injuries were inflicted ante-mortem (before death).

The fact that the Pakistani Army had the audacity to hand over such mutilated bodies shows how confident they were that India would never do anything. The fact that we did not is shameful. Add to this that India does not have the guts to pass a resolution calling Pakistan a Terror State is mystifying and the only reason such acts of barbarity are not taken up by consecutive governments is because the civilian population of this vast democracy and the media don’t keep up a drumbeat on Pakistan’s behavior.

The problem is that our population is not educated about our military history and the sacrifices of our security forces since 1947. It is not in any history books. Pakistan on the other hand, drills it into their children’s heads at every stage of their education like the wars they have fought against India (and according to them have won).

This is a great disservice to our security forces and leads to a ‘don’t know and don’t care’ attitude in our civilian population.

A small step is being made by filmmaker and author Shiv Kunal Verma to rectify this and such individuals should be supported by the government. One man singlehandedly cannot teach over a billion people the history of India’s war since 1947 and the sacrifice of our soldiers.

Pakistan, on the other hand, teaches every school-going child how they fought and according to them, they won every war with India. No wonder their Army is held in such high esteem. I saw a panel discussion with a Pakistani doctor who said even in his medical school there was an entire subject on this and Islamic greatness, which had nothing to do with medicine.

Verma told me how Welham Boys’ School in Dehradun has taken the initiative to introduce regular classes on India’s military history. ‘We have to expand the horizons of our students… we cannot just be limited by what is there or not there in the curriculum. Unfortunately, our military history has been a subject that just hasn’t been given its due,’ says Gunmeet Bindra, the principal of Welham Boys’.

“History taught in schools completely bypasses crucial events that have shaped India,” says Darshan Singh, the Chairman of the Welham Boys’ School Board of Governors, “we just feel it’s vital to expand the canvas. As educationists, it is our job to place the entire Canvas before our children even if it means stretching ourselves to find the extra time to create the slots.”

Air Marshal JS Kler, PVSM, VM, the commandant of the National Defence Academy in Pune, commended the move: ‘Excellent, this is yeomen service which is extremely important for our young generation to appreciate the courage and commitment of our men in uniform. This will enable them to participate instead of being bystanders… eventually the young generation, the students are the change.

In the inaugural session, while addressing the Welham Boys’, Verma spoke about the raison de etre behind the initiative: “As you grow older, go to college, you will develop your own ideas. Some will join the Army and the Police… only time will tell what path you choose… but it is our endeavor to open this equally important window for you as well. Be it 1947-48, 1962, 1965 or 71… Siachen, Sri Lanka or Kargil… the situation in Kashmir or Manipur… our objective is for you to be informed individuals with opinions.”

Had we had such an initiative right from the time of independence, we would have had generations of informed Indians who would have fought for the rights of our soldiers such as Captain Kalia, BSF head constable Prem Sagar and Naib Subaidar Paramjit Singh among many others who have been brutally mutilated by the Pakistani Army. There would and should have been public outrage such as when the Indian public came together when a young girl was brutally raped and killed and the government was forced to act. Nirbhaya’s death came to be known worldwide and I would hope the people of India and the government act against our barbaric neighbor in every forum, every diplomatic channel and with conviction to never allow it to happen it again.

I salute our soldiers and for those who have died, I hang my head in shame that we did not take it upon ourselves to do more for their memories and the brutality with which they were killed.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .

Blog

The blog will cover current issues ranging from politics to pollution — getting readers to question why India is behind in many aspects. Why do countries like China, Thailand, and Malaysia get more tourism, business and investments? Why do Indians blame history, geography or politicians for all our problems? How can Indians be more responsible? India is one of the most undisciplined countries, but when Indians go abroad they are among the most law abiding people. No Free Lunch will try to provoke readers to debate on how Indians can contribute toward building a better country.

Author

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was executive producer with the International Commentary Service Inc, New York in 1990. She was the executive publisher of The Earth Times, New York (1992- 98). She has also worked as the editor of Choices Magazine, United Nations Development Programme. She writes on various issues including human rights, population and sustainable development.

Freelance journalist Ashali Varma has authored the biography of her father late Lt. Gen. PS Bhagat — ‘The Victoria Cross: A Love Story’. She was execu. . .